Arts·Commotion

How Shohei Ohtani's historic deal was inked

Sports writer Morgan Campbell explains how any one player can be worth that much, and what this deal signals about the direction in which sports entertainment is going.

The MLB free agent signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $700 million USD

A professional baseball player holds a bat while standing in the dugout.
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani inspects a bat before hitting against the Blue Jays in the first of a three-game series in Toronto, on July 29, 2023. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Why would any sports team pay $700 million USD for a single player?

Well, when that athlete is Shohei Ohtani, it seems almost reasonable. And as it turns out, the answer has a lot to do with who's watching — and who's paying to advertise.

We haven't seen a player like this since the Babe Ruth days.- Morgan Campbell

Commotion host Elamin Abdelmahmoud speaks with sports writer Morgan Campbell about what this deal signals about the direction in which sports entertainment is going.

LISTEN | Today's episode on YouTube:

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Morgan Campbell produced by Jess Low.